 The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States of America and is often a symbol of pride and patriotism. Bald eagles are found throughout North America, from Alaskan, Canada to Northern Mexico. They were once an endangered species, but the population has since recovered. They are still protected and it is illegal to harm, possess or disturb the bird, nest or eggs. The coloring of the bald eagle makes them easy to identify. They are not actually bald, the name comes from the old meaning of white-headed. The mature birds, both male and female, are brown with white heads and tails and have a yellow hooked beak. The females are actually 25% larger than males. The juvenile birds are brown, speckled with white, and have a black beak until they reach sexual maturity at age 4 or 5. Bald eagles are one of the largest true raptors with wingspans up to 90 inches. Bald eagles are at the top of the food chain. They are opportunistic feeders and eat anything from fish and deer fawns to rabbits and ducks. They also scavenge carcasses in the winter. Bald eagles mate for life, but if one dies, the survivor chooses a new mate. The pair often returns to the same nest, which is usually in a large open tree. They also have a communal roost in the winter that they return to each year. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Mae Smith, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.